Photography

One creative form of human expression is photography. It opens new perspectives, provides insights into other worlds, reflects social movements and can be a source of inspiration. Thus, at Olympus, we believe it is worth investing in it. Building upon our unique expertise in the field of cameras and lenses, generated within our Consumer Products Division, our CSR activities focus on photographic projects with an educational approach.

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Opening new perspectives

In cooperation with the Haus der Photographie / Deichtorhallen Hamburg, Foam Fotografiemuseum and the Fotografie Forum Frankfurt (FFF), Olympus is offering a biennial fellowship to three promising emerging photographers working in the artistic field.

By offering this fellowship, the four partners (Haus der Photographie / Deichtorhallen Hamburg, Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam, Fotografie Forum Frankfurt and Olympus) aim to promote contemporary photography in the artistic field. Young photographers will receive effective support at a crucial time in their careers. Personal coaching by the experienced curators and exhibitions at the three venues will constitute a major part of this support. This idea is summed up in the title "recommended" ‒ a personal recommendation to the public by seasoned curators.

The program supports three chosen fellows at different levels: they each receive a grant of 10,000 euros as well as Olympus camera equipment, personal coaching from one of the three photographic curators at the exhibition venues and a presentation of their work at those venues.

Due to the financial support each fellow can realize a photographic project, while the exhibitions will bring their work to the attention of a larger audience and the world of art.

To receive the fellowship, photographers can’t apply directly but need to be nominated by the exhibition curators. The 2017 fellowship recipients were chosen at the beginning of April and come from Austria, Sweden and Germany. From a shortlist of nine candidates nominated, the fellows were selected by the venues’ curators.

Deichtorhallen Hamburg is one of Europe’s largest exhibition centers for contemporary art and photography. With Olympus’ financial support, the next generation can be introduced to the exciting world of the arts at Deichtorhallen Hamburg.

With its two historical buildings – open steel-and-glass structures – dating from 1911-1913, Deichtorhallen Hamburg is a work of art in its own right. Today, its architecture creates the backdrop for spectacular major international shows that regularly attract up to 60,000 visitors.

As a manufacturer of cameras, Olympus is a major contributor to the creation of art through photography. And alone for this reason it is important for us to promote it. Being a sponsoring partner of Deichtorhallen, we provide our cameras on a long-term basis and generally strive to foster cultural education. As such, we not only support the educational programs of Deichtorhallen, but also exhibitions.

Furthermore, special workshops accompanying exhibitions such as “Elbphilharmonie Revisited” took place in cooperation with Olympus at Deichtorhallen. Obtain an impression of some of the workshop results here:

As one of Europe’s most popular photography museums, Foam exhibits the works of up-and-coming talents and world class photographers. Olympus and Foam entered into a partnership in June 2015 that revolves around exhibitions, the educational program and the recommended Fellowship.

The Amsterdam based photography museum Foam informs and inspires the widest possible audience by presenting all facets of contemporary photography. The museum organizes a range of activities, spanning from exhibitions and publications to debates and educational projects.

The exchange of expertise and network activities are central to the collaboration between Foam and Olympus, with a focus on educational programs. The training program supported by Olympus reaches more than 15,000 young people and helps new generations to discover, experience and enjoy the world of art and photography.

The Fotografie Forum Frankfurt (FFF) is a unique center that exhibits photographic art of the highest caliber and promotes its importance as universal visual language. Olympus supports this creative platform.

The Fotografie Forum Frankfurt (FFF) incorporates all aspects of photography through a wide-ranging program of exhibitions, publications, workshops, lectures and symposiums. It highlights both evolving and classic interpretations of the photographic medium and premiers photographers’ work in Germany.

The non-profit organization is supported through its members, entrance fees, book and print sales, the City of Frankfurt – and last but not least, sponsors such as Olympus. As part of this sponsorship, we provide cameras to the FFF junior educational program which are used for their workshops and can be lent for testing from members of the FFF. In addition, these members will receive special training on Olympus cameras.